Elynor Johnson

Elynor Johnson of Columbus, Ga., age 89, died on Monday January 7, 2013 after a brief illness. She was born in Charleston, S.C. on July 9, 1923, the only child of Ethel and Joseph Q. Jones. She was preceded in death by her husband, George A. Johnson. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law Linda and Daniel Pinner of Suwanee, Ga., granddaughter and husband Rachel and Cody Wortman and two great grandchildren, Adrienne and Cody Connor Wortman of Milledgeville, Ga. At the age of four, Elynor began piano lessons. The gift of perfect pitch presented itself early on when both her Mother and piano teacher discovered she was pretending to read music while playing all her pieces by ear. Musical studies continued and she attended Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C., where she received a B. A. in Music in 1944. She returned to Charleston after graduation to open a private teaching studio, where she met and married her violinist husband George in 1947. Elynor and her husband moved to Atlanta, Ga. and became very active in the local musical scene, performing engagements at the Gypsy Room, the Piedmont Driving Club as well as several seasons with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. They moved to Pittsburgh, Pa., from 1952-1956, spending summers in Aspen, CO, performing with the Aspen Festival Orchestra. Elynor and family moved to Columbus, GA, where she taught private piano and general music for Muscogee Co. Schools. After twenty-seven years of teaching, Elynor retired and became an advocate of Doberman rescue. She also raised Dobermans and enjoyed traveling with Ruth Francis to many dog shows. Elynor moved back to Atlanta in 2006 to live with her family. She continued to play her Baldwin baby grand, accompanying her son-in-law Daniel in morning duet performances. A memorial service for Elynor will be in Columbus, Ga. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2100 Hilton Avenue, on Sunday, Jan.20, 2013 at 2:00pm. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Atlanta Federation of Musicians Scholarship fund, 551 Dutch Valley Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 or to DPCA Rescue. Make check payable to DPCA RESCUE and mail to DPCA Treasurer 17 George St., Framingham, MA 01702-8710.